Intraoral dosing method of administering trifluorobenzodiazepines

ABSTRACT

A method of therapeutically administering certain BZ1 specific trifluorobenzodiazepines in order to maximize the BZ1 effects and minimize the BZ2 effects on the human central nervous system in order to maximize the anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant and hypnotic effects and minimize the ataxic and incoordination effects of the drug.

This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/422,992, filed on Oct. 17, 1989, now abandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a novel method of administering certain benzodiazepines which surprisingly results in a maximization of the effect on BZ₁ receptors and minimization of the effect on BZ₂ receptors of the human central nervous system so as to maximize the antianxiety, anticonvulsant, and/or hypnotic effects and to minimize the ataxic and incoordination effects of the drug thereon.

BACKGROUND ART

The most pertinent prior art reference known to applicants is U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,447 to Porter which discloses a method of administering certain benzodiazepines sublingually and buccally. Porter specifically mentions the sublingual or buccal administration of diazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam and chlorodiazepoxide and describes two generic structures of benzodiazepines that may be administered sublingually or buccally. The compound shown below is contemplated by the generic structures in Porter. All of the benzodiazepines disclosed and the generic structure described in Porter are BZ₁ -BZ₂ receptor non-specific since they lack the trifluoro group in the N position of the "B" ring which confers BZ₁ specificity. ##STR1##

Porter's method is based on the rapid buccal or sublingual absorption of selected benzodiazepines to attain effective plasma concentration more rapidly than oral administration. In contrast, while parenteral administration provides a rapid rise of blood levels of the benzodiazepines, parenteral administration is frequently accompanied by pain and irritation at the injection site and may require sterilization of the preparatives and the hypodermic syringes.

Porter points out that the intraoral, i.e. buccal or sublingual administration, of lipid soluble benzodiazepines results in therapeutic levels resembling parenteral administration without some of the problems associated therewith. Porter's administration technique for benzodiazepines in general builds on a long established knowledge in pharmacology that drugs absorbed in the intraoral route give rise to more rapid absorption than when swallowed into the stomach. What is not recognized by Porter, however, are concerns with first-pass metabolism which can be avoided either with the sublingual or parenteral route of drug administration of certain benzodiazepines.

Porter does not recognize that first-pass metabolism designates the drug absorption directly into the portal blood supply leading to the liver and that the liver in turn rapidly absorbs and metabolizes the drug with its first-pass high concentration through the liver blood supply. Thus, large amounts of the drug may never be seen by the systemic circulation or drug effect site. Porter further does not recognize that the more rapid metabolism via the first-pass metabolism route can lead to accelerated dealkylation with formation of high plasma concentrations of an unwanted metabolite. Thus, applicants' concern with avoiding the degradation of the parent compound and its desired positive effect and the metabolism thereof to an undesired metabolite is neither recognized nor addressed by Porter, which only addresses the ability of the oral mucous membranes to absorb certain benzodiazepines fast and achieve high plasma levels thereof quickly.

The specific drug for which this phenomenon was demonstrated by Porter was lorazepam which has a simple metabolism that results in it not being metabolized to active compounds. Also, and very significantly, the issue of human nervous system receptor specificity and activation for BZ₁ and BZ₂ type receptors is not recognized by Porter either generally or with reference specifically to trifluorobenzodiazepines.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,552 to Hester discloses that 3-(5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-yl) carbazic acid alkyl esters, which are useful as sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants, can be administered sublingually. Subsequently issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,781 to Hester specifically teaches that 8-chloro-1-methanol-6-(o-chlorophenyl)-4H-s-triasolo[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepine therapeutic compounds, which are useful as soporifics, can be suitably prepared for sublingual use.

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,271 to vonBebenburg et al. discloses that 6-aza-3H-1,4-benzodiazepines and 6-aza-1,2-dihydro-3H-1,4-benzodiazepines (which have pharmacodynamic properties including psychosedative and anxiolytic properties as well as antiphlogistic properties) can be administered enterally, parenterally, orally or perlingually.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is well known by those practiced in the art that special distribution of enzymatic activity within the liver leads to a metabolic zonation for metabolisms of drugs. This zonation is noted in peripheral midzonal and pericentral regions of the liver. Thus, the relative distribution of 2 or more enzymes with respect to substrate entry point and the relative magnitudes of the enzymatic parameters will have a large impact on the metabolic pathway emphasized.

When a drug is swallowed, the stomach and small intestine absorb it with subsequent flow to the portal vein entry to the liver. Thus differential metabolic zonation is possible if the drug is distributed to the liver by the portal vein rather than by the hepatic artery from the general circulation.

Even though this general background information is known to those practiced in the art, the specific findings that trifluorobenzodiazepine N-desalkylation is reduced by sublingual/buccal administration was not known until applicants' unexpected discovery with quazepam and halazepam.

In accordance with the present invention, applicants provide a novel method for maximizing the effect of selected trifluorbenzodiazepines including 7-chloro-1-(2,2,2H-trifluoroethyl)-5-(o-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2-1,4-benzodiazepine-2thione (quazepam) and 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-5-phenyl-1-1- (2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-2H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-one (halazepam) on benzodiazepine Type I (BZ₁) receptors and minimizing the unwanted potent effect of certain metabolites on benzodiazepine Type II (BZ₂) receptors of the human central nervous system so as to maximize the antianxiety and anticonvulsant and/or hypnotic effects and minimize the ataxic and incoordination effects thereon, comprising selecting a suitable lipid soluble and BZ₁ specific trifluorobenzodiazepine, placing the trifluorobenzodiazepine in a suitable intraoral formulation, and intraorally administering a therapeutically effective amount of said intraoral formulation so as to bypass the first pass metabolism of said selected trifluorobenzodiazepine in the liver. The selected trifluorobenzodiazepines with BZ₁ specificity are represented by the following structural formula and include:

    ______________________________________                                          ##STR2##                                                                      COMPOUND        R.sub.1 R.sub.2  R.sub.3                                                                              R.sub.4                                 ______________________________________                                         1    HALAZEPAM      O       H, H   H     CL                                    2.   3-OH-HALAZEPAM O       OH, H  H     CL                                    3.   QUAZEPAM (Q)   S       H, H   F     CL                                    4.   2-OXO-Q        O       H, H   F     CL                                    5.   2-OXO-3-OH-Q   O       OH, H  F     CL                                    6.   SCH 15698      H, H    H, H   F     CL                                    7.   SCH 15893      H, H    H, H   CL    CL                                    8.   SCH 18449      H, H    H, H   F     BR                                    9.   3-OH-Q         S       OH, H  F     CL                                    ______________________________________                                          1.                                                                             7chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin     2-                                                                              one.                                                                           2. 7chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2H-1,3-      benzodiazepin-2-one.                                                           3. 7chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-      benzodiazepin-2-thione.                                                        4. 7chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-      benzodiazepin-2-one.                                                           5.                                                                             7chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-     H-1,4-                                                                          benzodiazepin-2-one.                                                           6. 7chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-      benzodiazepin.                                                                 7. 7chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-      benzodiazepin.                                                                 8. 7bromo-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-       benzodiazepin.                                                                 9.                                                                             7chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-     H-1,4-                                                                          benzodiazepin-2-thione.                                                  

The trifluorobenzodiazepines referenced above are also lipid soluble. All of the benzodiazepines reported to have BZ₁ specificity have a CH₂ CF₃ group on the nitrogen in the "B" ring. Metabolic loss of this C₂ CF₃ group results in a benzodiazepine that is non-specific for the BZ₁ -BZ₂ receptors. Applicants' invention was made possible by the unexpected and surprising discovery from pharmacokinetic studies that sublingual dosing minimizes the desalkylation metabolic pathway leading to the formation of nonspecific metabolites of the selected trifluorobenzodiazepine.

An object of the present invention is to increase the effectiveness of certain selected trifluorobenzodiazepines on human subjects to reduce anxiety and convulsions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new administration method which increases the availability of certain selected trifluorobenzodiazepines to the human central nervous system and decreases the amount of undesirable metabolites available thereto.

Still another object of the present invention is to maximize the effect of certain selected trifluorobenzodiazepines on BZ₁ receptors of the human central nervous system and minimize their effect on BZ₂ receptors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the concentration of quazepam (Q) and N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam (DOQ) in the blood plasma over 96 hours following a single sublingual dose (SL) or per oral swallowed dose (PO) of 15 mg of quazepam;

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the concentration of quazepam (Q) and N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam (DOQ) in the blood plasma over 210 hours following a single sublingual dose (SL) of 15 mg of quazepam or per oral swallowed dose (PO);

FIG. 3 is a graph of computer simulated concentration levels of quazepam and N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam in the blood following sublingual and oral swallowed doses of 15 mg of quazepam once a day for a 15 day period illustrating the marked reduction in accumulated levels of desalkyloxoquazepam with sublingual dosing;

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the concentration of halazepam (HZ) and N-desalkyl-3-hydroxy-halazepam (ND) in the blood over 96 hours following a single sublingual dose (SL) or per oral swallowed dose (PO) of 20 mg of halazepam;

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating the concentration of halazepam (HZ) and N-desalkyl-3-hydroxy-halazepam (ND) in the blood over 240 hours following a single sublingual dose (SL) or per oral swallowed (PO) of 20 mg of halazepam; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Quazepam, a trifluorobenzodiazepine, is selective for benzodiazepine Type I (BZ₁) receptors of the central human nervous system. Action at the BZ₁ receptors has been linked to antianxiety and anticonvulsant and/or hypnotic effects, whereas action at BZ₂ receptors of the human central nervous system has been linked to muscle relaxation and ataxic effects. N-desalkyl-2-oxoquazepam (DOQ), an active metabolite of quazepam (Q), is BZ₁, BZ₂ receptor non-specific, and also has a much higher affinity or potency for both receptor types when compared to the BZ₁ specific affinity of quazepam (Q). Thus, the higher affinity metabolite (DOQ) of quazepam (Q) contributes substantially to the adverse ataxic and incoordination effects of quazepam on the human central nervous system. In addition, because DOQ has a much longer elimination half-life than the parent quazepam compound (Q), repeated dosing leads to the gradual accumulation of the non-specific, unwanted metabolite, and a greater ratio of DOQ/Q attains over a period of days. Thus, after two to three hours subsequent to an acute dose of quazepam, the DOQ metabolite, both because of its increase gradual accumulation and its greater potency than the parent compound Q, can obviate the advantages of quazepam itself.

Applicants have unexpectedly and surprisingly discovered that sublingual dosing, in contrast to the usual clinical oral dosing of quazepam, increases the availability of quazepam about 60% while the DOQ drops to about one-half that of the oral quazepam administration levels. In other words, applicants have unexpectedly and surprisingly discovered that the aforementioned undesirable "first pass" augmentation of dealkylation to the DOQ metabolite can be markedly reduced or obviated by sublingual dosing of quazepam. This change in concentrations for the two compounds can be seen with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of the drawings where the differences in the parent compound Q and the metabolite DOQ for both the oral and sublingual dosing is shown. In FIG. 3, by use of standard multiple Q dose simulations, the differences in accumulation of Q and DOQ for sublingual versus oral dosing over 15 days is shown. With chronic dosing it is readily apparent that after 15 days the DOQ level, following oral administration, has reached levels that are associated with the threshold for impairing ataxic and incoordination affects (especially if larger doses are given). With sublingual dosing the accumulated levels of DOQ are approximately one-half of the oral dosing and the levels of Q are over twice that of the oral levels.

In Table 1 and Table 2, set forth below, the average pharmacokinetic parameters for both Q and DOQ for both oral and sublingual routes of administration are set forth:

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         AVERAGE PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS OF                                          QUAZEPAM FOLLOWING SUBLINGUAL AND ORAL                                         ADMINISTRATION OF QUAZEPAM (15 mg)                                                          Route of Administration of                                                     Quazepam                                                          Parameter      Sublingual   Oral                                               ______________________________________                                         t.sub.1/2 K.sub.a (hr)                                                                        .sup. 0.27 ± 0.10.sup.a                                                                  0.77 ± 0.23                                     t.sub.1/2 λ.sub.1 (hr)                                                                 1.44 ± 0.45                                                                              1.73 ± 0.65                                     t.sub.1/2 λ.sub.2 (hr)                                                                 27.72 ± 7.18                                                                             24.63 ± 8.35                                    Lag time (hr).sup.b                                                                           0.18 ± 0.05                                                                              0.52 ± 0.28                                     C.sub.max (ng/ml).sup.b                                                                       42.35 ± 10.43                                                                            26.74 ± 6.83                                    t.sub.max (hr).sup.b                                                                          0.78 ± 0.31                                                                              2.57 ± 1.69                                     AUC (ng · hr/ml).sup.b                                                               1461.35 ± 298.67                                                                         472.79 ± 238.92                                 CL/F (l/hr).sup.b                                                                             8.78 ± 5.25                                                                              37.56 ± 16.89                                   ______________________________________                                          .sup.a Mean ± SD                                                            .sup.b Differed significantly from oral dosing (P<0.05)                        Legend:                                                                        t.sub.1/2 = Half-Life                                                          K.sub.a = Absorption                                                           λ.sub.1 = Rapid Distribution                                            λ.sub.2 = Terminal Elimination                                          C.sub.max = Peak Plasma Concentration                                          t.sub.max = Time to C.sub.max                                                  AUC = Area Under Plasma ConcentrationTime Curve                                CL/F = Clearance                                                         

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                         AVERAGE PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS OF                                          N-DESALKYL-2-OXOQUAZEPAM FOLLOWING                                             SUBLINGUAL AND ORAL ADMINISTRATION                                             OF QUAZEPAM (15 mg)                                                                         Route of Administration of                                                     Quazepam                                                          Parameter      Sublingual  Oral                                                ______________________________________                                         t.sub.1/2 K.sub.m (hr)                                                                        .sup. 1.07 ± 0.31.sup.a                                                                 1.24 ± 0.52                                      t.sub.1/2 λ.sub.2 (hr)                                                                 69.30 ± 18.62                                                                           71.44 ± 21.16                                    Lag time (hr)  1.74 ± 0.86                                                                             0.66 ± 0.32                                      C.sub.max (ng/ml).sup.b                                                                       8.18 ± 2.35                                                                             17.58 ± 4.17                                     t.sub.max  (hr)                                                                               7.33 ± 4.15                                                                             6.17 ± 3.52                                      AUC (ng · hr/ml).sup.b                                                               949.02 ± 365.74                                                                         1966.70 ± 410.90                                 ______________________________________                                          .sup.a Mean ± SD                                                            .sup.b Differed significantly from oral dosing (P<0.05)                        Legend:                                                                        t.sub.1/2 = Half-Life                                                          K.sub.m = Formation                                                            λ.sub.2 = Terminal Elimination                                          C.sub.max = Peak Plasma Concentration                                          t.sub.max = Time to C.sub.max                                                  AUC = Area Under Plasma ConcentrationTime Curve                          

The profile in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings clearly shows that there is a first-pass metabolism for Q leading to the attenuated Q levels. On the basis of applicants' pharmacokinetic studies, applicants have discovered that sublingual dosing which bypasses first pass metabolism, minimizes the N-dealkylation metabolic pathway that leads to the formation of the unwanted metabolite, DOQ. This has lead applicants to the sublingual dosing method of the invention which provides for maximization of the important therapeutic effects of the drug. Thus, applicants have discovered the means by which quazepam can be administered such that one can maximize the BZ₁ effect and reduce the BZ₂ effect of its metabolite (DOQ) and thereby enhance the efficacy in use on humans of this therapeutic drug.

In summary, applicants have discovered the following: (1) The use of sublingual dosing of quazepam to markedly reduce first pass metabolism of the quazepam structure and thereby enhance the BZ₁ effect of the drug; and (2) The use of sublingual dosing to increase the BZ₁ -BZ₂ ratio with acute dosing and repeated dosing over days (since the dosing regimen is reducing the DOQ levels and thus attenuating the many impairing effects of the high affinity slowly metabolized quazepam metabolite). These phenomenon resulting from sublingual dosing provide for an unexpected and surprising enhancement of the efficacy and reduction of toxicity of the drug in reducing anxiety and convulsions in humans.

With references now to FIGS. 4 and 5, applicants have also tested high BZ₁ specific drug halazepam and discovered similar results obtained by sublingual administration thereof: The availability of halazepam was significantly increased thus maximizing the BZ₁ effect while reducing the BZ₁ -BZ₂ metabolite N-dealkylhydroxy-halazepam. Applicants thus believe that intraoral administration, either buccal or sublingual, of selected trifluorobenzodiazepines can substantially enhance their therapeutic effect for the reasons set forth herein. Applicants' novel method can be better appreciated with reference to FIG. 6 of the drawings which depicts a flow chart of the steps of the novel therapeutic method.

It will be understood that various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation--the invention being defined by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. In a method for administering 1-trifluorobenzodiazepines to the human central nervous system wherein a therapeutically effective amount of said trifluorobenzodiazepine is sublingually or bucally administered to a human, the improvement comprising the steps of:a. selecting a trifluorobenzodiazepine from the group consisting of 7-chloro-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-one, 7-chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-thione, 7-chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2,fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzodiazepine -2-one, and 7-chloro-1-(2,2,-trifluoroethyl)-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2H -1,4-benzodiazepine-2-thione that (1) has one or more unwanted or adversive metabolites that are increased by portal vein entry to the liver and that (2) is lipid soluble; b. placing said trifluorobenzodiazepine in a suitable intraoral formulation; c. intraorally administering a therapeutically effective amount of said intraoral formulation to a human so as to bypass the portal vein entry to the liver and to thereby decrease the formulation of unwanted metabolites and maintain higher levels of the trifluorobenzodiazepine and metabolites with the trifluoro configuration; d. increasing the ratio of trifluorobenzodiazepine and metabolites with the trifluoro configuration to unwanted metabolites made available to the central nervous system by at least 100%; and e. utilizing this intraoral method over a period of one or more doses to achieve sustained high levels of the trifluorobenzodiazepine and metabolites with the trifluoro configuration relative to unwanted metabolites. 